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New to baking potatoes in your air fryer? Unsure about timings? This post includes 2 super easy ways to make a perfect air fryer jacket potato! Crispy on the outside and fluffy in the middle. These cheap and easy methods make a tasty midweek meal or hearty side. Keep reading for the full recipe and lots of helpful tips…
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Ninja air fryer jacket potato
I bit the bullet and bought a Ninja Foodi AF400 Max Dual air fryer in January. And I’ll never look back! I love it so much, there is not a single day that goes by when it’s not used. In fact, my oven has only been switched on about 3 times since!
I’ve had lots of fun trying new things. Air fryer chips are a regular make. Air fryer cheese on toast is a great speedy lunch. And I do love a good experiment – these air fryer Creme Egg croissants were amazing!
That being said, I’m definitely on the look out for more midweek meals that I can make in it. These air fryer jacket potatoes are no exception!
We eat baked potatoes ALL THE TIME in the Kitchen Mason household. By switching up the toppings, you can create gorgeous, varied meals without all the fuss.
And by making them in the air fryer, you can potentially save on your energy bills too!
Want more recipe inspiration? Check out these 40+ UK air fryer recipes!
How long to cook baked potatoes in an air fryer?
There are two ways to cook air fryer jacket potatoes. The first is to simply oil and salt your potatoes, then bake in the air fryer. The second is to microwave first, then crisp up in the air fryer.
How long baked potatoes take in an air fryer, depends on a few different things.
The size of your potato will affect the cooking time. If you are microwaving first, your microwave power will also have an impact. The type of air fryer you have could also change the timings.
Based on the above, here is a rough guide of UK air fryer baked potato times.
Air fryer only cooking times
Based on an air fryer cooking temperature of 190ºC/374ºF.
| 200g (7 oz) potato | Air fry for 40 – 45 mins |
| 250g (8.8 oz) potato | Air fry for 45 – 50 mins |
| 300g (10.5 oz) potato | Air fry for 50 – 55 mins |
Microwave then air fry cooking times
Based on an 800 watt microwave and an air fryer cooking temperature of 240ºC/464ºF.
| 200g (7 oz) potato | Microwave for 12 mins | Air fry for 15 – 20 mins |
| 250g (8.8 oz) potato | Microwave for 14 mins | Air fry for 15 – 20 mins |
| 300g (10.5 oz) potato | Microwave for 16 mins | Air fry for 15 – 20 mins |
Is it faster to bake a potato in the oven or air fryer?
The short answer is yes. It is faster to bake a potato in the air fryer than it is in the oven.
As you don’t need to preheat an air fryer for very long, nor do you need to heat a very large space (like an oven) you’ve already saved time and energy, before you even begin cooking!
An air fryer is a smaller and more concentrated fan oven. Meaning the heat cooks your food more effectively and more efficiently.
Pre-cooking your air fryer jacket potatoes in the microwave? Then it’ll be even quicker!
Do you have to pierce a potato before baking in an air fryer?
You don’t have to piece your air fryer jacket potatoes before cooking, no. But it does help keep the skin crisp for longer.
Why? By piercing the potatoes, you’re allowing excess moisture to escape. And potatoes have a lot of moisture.
Ever noticed that baked potato skins seem to go soft after a few minutes of being out the oven? That’s because the moisture is still trying to escape, but can’t get through the skin. By piercing the potatoes, that moisture can escape. Leaving you with crisper skins to enjoy.
What potato is best for jacket potatoes?
Fluffy potato varieties make the best air fryer jacket potato.
Think Maris Piper, King Edward and Desiree. Avoid waxy potatoes and they tend to hold their shape more and result in a less fluffy middle. It’s the same for air fryer roast potatoes.
Waxy potatoes are better for dishes like crushed potatoes and potato salad.
Ingredients and substitutions
Confused about what ingredients to buy? Not sure about a substitution? Here’s everything you might need to know…
- Potatoes – As I’ve said above, floury potatoes are best, as they give a nice fluffy middle. Supermarkets tend to stock lots of great, cheap baking potatoes. But you can’t go wrong with classic varieties such as Desiree, Maris Piper and King Edward.
- Oil – I like to use Rice Bran oil (affiliate link) as it has a high smoke point. Olive oil will work nicely too though.
- Salt – Freshly ground sea salt is my favourite. I put it in my OXO salt grinder (affiliate link) and switch it to the fine setting. Table salt would also work, but be a little more sparing with it, as it’s stronger.
Recipe tips and troubleshooting
Here are tips you’ll find helpful when making this recipe.
- Make sure you turn the potatoes half way through cooking. This will prevent burning on the bottom and give a more even bake.
- If microwaving first, cover your potatoes with a sheet of kitchen roll to avoid a very wet microwave!
- Use floury potatoes like King Edward and Maris Piper for best results. Not waxy potatoes.
- Don’t overcrowd your air fryer. Make sure there is space between each potato, to ensure they bake and don’t steam.
- Pierce your potatoes before cooking. This will help to keep the skins more crisp once baked.
Time management
Have limited time? Struggle with recipe timings? Or juggling around other things? Here’s some time managing info to make your life easier.
- Short on time? The microwave/air fryer jacket potato method is for you! Cutting the traditional oven baked time down by up to 30 minutes, you’ll save on both time and energy. Ready to eat in just 30 minutes.
- Need tea to make itself so you can get on with other things? Use the air fryer only method for a more hands off approach. You just need to remember to turn them halfway. That’s it! Ready to eat in around 40-55 minutes.
If you like this recipe…
…you might also like:
- Air fryer fries recipe
- Juicy air fryer chicken breast
- Crispy roast potatoes
Air Fryer Jacket Potato – Step by Step Picture Recipe
This recipe has two methods. A microwave then air fry method (quickest), and an air fry only method (more hands off).
(For a printer friendly version, see the recipe card at the end of this post)
Ingredients
Here is what you will need to make 4 air fryer jacket potatoes.
- 4 x Floury/Baking Potatoes *
- Oil
- Salt
*for a potato size vs cooking time guide click here.
Essential equipment
- Knife
- Microwavable Plate (microwave/air fryer method only)
- Piece of Kitchen Roll (microwave/air fryer method only)
- Skewer (microwave/air fryer method only)
- Air fryer
Microwaved air fryer jacket potato instructions
First, pierce the potatoes with a knife.
Next, place them on a microwavable plate and cover with a piece of kitchen roll. Microwave on full power for 10 minutes.
Then try to put a skewer through the middle. If they feel soft and the skewer easily goes all the way through, you can move on to air frying.
If they still feel firm, keep microwaving in 3 minutes increments. Until you can get a skewer easily through the middle.
Now preheat your air fryer to 240ºC/464ºF for 2 minutes. (The max crisp setting on a Ninja Foodi air fryer.)
Meanwhile, cover your potatoes in a little oil and rub in some salt. Be careful, as they will likely be quite hot still.
Then place your microwaved potatoes into your preheated air fryer. Remember to space them out and not overcrowd. Cook at 240ºC/464ºF (or max crisp on a Ninja Foodi air fryer) for 10 minutes.
Now carefully flip them over and air fry for a further 5-10 minutes. Until they are crisp and a deep golden brown colour.
And that’s it! Serve with your favourite toppings, or as a side dish, and enjoy.
Air fryer only jacket potato instructions
Pierce your potatoes all over with a knife, then rub each one with a little oil and salt.
Preheat your air fryer to 190ºC/374ºF for 2 minutes.
Next, place your potatoes into your air fryer drawer(s). Make sure they’re spaced out a little, and not overcrowded.
Air fry at 190ºC/374ºF for 40 – 55 minutes (use this size vs cooking time table as a guide). Make sure you turn them over halfway through.
Divide between plates, add some tasty toppings, and enjoy!
Air fryer jacket potato topping ideas
There are so many possibilities for air fryer baked potato toppings! Here are just a few for inspiration…
- Beans
- Cheese
- Coleslaw
- Chilli con carne
- Beetroot salad
- Tuna mayonnaise
- Cottage cheese
- Apple and beetroot salad
- Tikka Masala
Loved this air fryer jacket potato recipe? Pin it!
Easy Air Fryer Jacket Potato - Printable Recipe
Yield: 4
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 42 minutes
Two easy methods for making the perfect air fryer baked potato! Saving time and energy, without compromising flavour.
Ingredients
- 4 x Floury/Baking Potatoes *
- Oil
- Salt
Essential Equipment
- Knife
- Microwavable Plate (microwave/air fryer method only)
- Sheet of Kitchen Roll (microwave/air fryer method only)
- Skewer (microwave/air fryer method only)
- Air fryer
Instructions
Microwave/Air Fryer Method (quickest)
- Pierce your potatoes with a knife.
- Place them on a microwavable plate and cover with a sheet of kitchen roll. Microwave on full power for 10 minutes. If you can easily push a skewer through the middle, move onto step 3. If not, continue microwaving in 3 minute intervals until you can.
- Preheat your air fryer to 240ºC/464ºF. (Max crisp on a Ninja Foodi air fryer.) Rub the potatoes all over with a little oil and salt.
- Place the potatoes into the air fryer. Do not overcrowd. Cook at 240ºC/464ºF for 10 mins.
- Turn the potatoes over and cook for a further 5- 10 minutes. Until dark brown and crisp. Serve immediately.
Air Fryer Only Method (more hands off)
- Pierce the potatoes all over with a knife. Then rub with a little oil and salt. Preheat your air fryer to 190ºC/374ºF.
- Place them into your air fryer. Do not overcrowd. Cook at 190ºC/374ºF for 40-55 minutes, depending on the size of your potato. (See link in notes for a weight vs time guide.) Turn them over halfway. They're ready when cooked through, crisp and dark brown in colour.
Notes
*for a potato size vs cooking time guideclick here
See the main post for a more detailed, step by step picture recipe.
Be sure to read the sections Ingredients and Substitutions, Recipe Tips and Troubleshooting and Time Management for lots of helpful information before you begin making this recipe. You can find them in the main body of this post.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 199Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 57mgCarbohydrates: 37gFiber: 4gSugar: 2gProtein: 5g
Nutritional information on kitchenmason.com should only be used as a general guideline, I am not a certified nutritionist. Please always check labels for allergens where applicable.
I want to see YOUR air frying!
Have you made an easy and delicious Ninja air fryer jacket potato? I’d love to know if you have! Tag me in your pics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagramor email me at emma@kitchenmason.com.
